14 DAY TRIAL // If you were there when we wrote about the 3D printer that can make electronics boards, you might be interested in knowing about something that could complement or supplement that initiative.
You see, Structur3D Printing has launched a Kickstarter campaign for a new extruder that could use normal materials in 3D printing technology. Among those materials there is conductive ink. And we all know that conductive ink is used to scribe circuits on printed circuit boards, or PCBs for short.
Even if full electronics devices don't become possible to 3D print for a while, PCB production automation might move from the normal production lines to 3D printing-based ones sooner rather than later.
The conductive ink is just part of the “wow” factor that the new crowd-funded project aims to bring about, however. You see, the other materials that the new extruder could work with, according to the scientists, are equally game-changing.
How else could you look at wood filler? More importantly, silicon tends to get people to stop and pay attention just by being mentioned. Discov3ry aims to allow normal silicon and wood filler to be employed as 3D printing filament.
It will definitely add some choice to everyone who owns an FDM 3D printer (fused deposition modeling). No longer will they be limited to ABS or PLA plastics. They will make things in style.
And it would all be accomplished without increasing the print cost in the least. In fact, it should cut the price a fair bit. After all, it's not worth it to 3D print a toy when it costs you $15 / €15.
If we're reading things right, Discov3ry extruder will let you use normal silicon or latex caulk, the type that sells for $3 / €3, as filament. Dry wall sparkle, sugar icing, peanut butter, all of them should be an easy fit as well.
Thus, you could not only make a new circuit board or pots (polyurethane, clay, ceramics are supported), but use different substances to 3D print food as well. You can use Nutella, for crying out loud.
And here's the punchline: Discov3ry extruder lets you do all this, from making printed circuit boards to food, on any of the 3D printers sold worldwide right now. From the smallest PLA/ABS plastic printer to the most expensive, multi-grand contraptions you can think of. It sounds almost like a miracle, doesn't it?
A pledge of $249 / €183 will net you the extruder and a “3 cartridge starter kit” composed of the following:
- 3 x 60cc reloadable food-grade syringes; - 3 x 30cm reusable foodsafe plastic tubing; - 3 x male luer lock / tubing connectors; - 3 x female luer lock / tubing connectors; - an assortment of Luer lock tips.